How to Import from China to Nigeria to Start a Business
Import from China to Nigeria is a booming business that you need not miss out if you are an importer. Before now a lot of people think you can just save up money and venture into inter-nation businesses.
However, that assertion is not true, as you need to get a through knowledge about importation of goods from China and how it looks before venturing into the business.
If you want to start import business from China to Nigeria, you will need to take these steps:
Table of Contents
1. Choose an In-demand Product
Unsurprisingly, the first step is to hunt for a China cheap product that you have good reason to think will sell well in Nigeria. Usually, the goods needed rather than a want have constant demand because of their nature. So, if you can’t afford to conduct market research, consider goods that everyone needs regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Determining the Type of Goods to Import from China to Nigeria
Importantly, if you want to succeed fast in this business, you must focus on products that are in those products that you are good at, which means you can control the quality, you can understand the development trend of the whole product, you have a complete sales strategy, etc., some of which are listed below.
1. Electronics appliance and gadget
2. Fashion Accessories
3. Home and Office appliances
4. Automobiles
We always get inquiries like this, I want to buy bags, I want to buy clothes to start a business. If you don’t take the time to do product research well, you’re very likely to fail. We have helped many customers buy products from 1688 and ship to them. These transactions all have a common feature, they all have the type of products they want to buy, such as wigs, flowers, and fabrics. . . They have done repeated research to select the styles to buy. At the same time, their first order amount is around $1,000 to $2,000.
So, ask yourself if you have a specific product that needs to be launched, and whether you have recharged funds to support your business, generally around $2,000 is a good starting point.
Find Hot Selling Product from China to Nigeria
One good way of doing this would be to look for the product’s selling prices in your country. Which products are popular among Nigerians? Which ones are the local hits? According to import and export statistics, we compiled the following best-selling products import from China to Nigeria for reference.
Best-selling products import from China to Nigeria
1 Apparel and footwear
The textile and footwear industry is the second largest contributor to Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP. According to industry insiders, the country’s annual import cost of textiles and ready-made clothing is US$4 billion. In addition, shoes are very scarce locally, and most of them will be imported from China or other countries.
2 Natural soaps
Different types of natural soaps for washing and toiletries are very popular in Nigeria, including shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. In addition, clothing and utensils also need to be cleaned regularly to maintain hygiene. Although the industry is dominated by a small number of operators, they provide a variety of products on different business lines, and the industry is quite fragmented. In addition, this industry is relatively easy to enter, coupled with high demand, so it needs a large number of suppliers to support.
3 Makeup and Beauty Products
At least nine out of ten Nigerian girls use cosmetics. At present, the industry is growing at an annual rate of 8% to 10%. It is estimated that by 2021, the beauty and care industry in the Middle East and Africa will reach 34.5 billion U.S. dollars. Well-known brands in Nigeria include Mary Kay, Elf, and Black Opal, among others. As long as women exist, cosmetics and beauty products will always be in high demand.
4 Wig products
Nigeria’s wig market is booming all year round. In Nigeria, wigs range from 1,000 Naira (approximately RMB 33) to 90,000 Naira (approximately RMB 3,000). The cheaper ones are mostly made of plastic or chemical fiber. Because they cannot be cleaned normally, consumers use them for 30 days. I will buy new styles after around, and it is normal for Nigerian women to have 3-5 sets of wigs.
5 Electronic products
Nigerian market continues to import a large number of electronic equipment. Currently, Nigeria’s electronic product market has a huge gap. Nigeria imports VCDs, computers, refrigerators, DVDs and other electronic products every year, and a considerable part of them are second-hand products. In 2017, Nigeria’s imports of consumer electronics reached 738 million U.S. dollars. Among them, 311 million US dollars were imported from China, accounting for 42.16%. China is Nigeria’s first import source of consumer electronics.
6 Generators
The electricity supply in Nigeria is short and unstable, so the demand for generators is very large. It is not only suitable for rich families, poor people will also buy it. Every year, 60 million people in Nigeria spend about 1.6 trillion naira on generators’ purchase and maintenance. It is estimated that by 2020, Nigeria’s imports of generator sets will increase to about 151.16 billion naira.
7 Building materials
In recent years, the Nigerian government has invested a lot of money in the field of infrastructure construction, and this industry has become the most attractive industry for investment in Nigeria. The Nigerian construction industry is backward, accounting for only 3.2% of GDP, which is far from meeting the domestic demand for housing and building materials. It is expected that from now to 2020, the Nigerian construction industry will usher in a higher growth rate.
The highest imports of building materials products in Nigeria are:
construction hardware, doors and windows, ceilings, kitchens and bathrooms, and floor materials products. In addition, the category, quality, and price of Chinese building materials are very suitable for the Nigerian market.
8 Solar Products
More than half of Nigeria’s population, and more than two-thirds of the population in rural areas do not have a normal electricity supply. With the development of solar power technology, Nigeria is extremely rich in solar energy resources and is limited by its own manufacturing capacity. The introduction of solar power equipment from other countries to solve the electricity problem is currently the main countermeasure.
9 Auto parts products
Nigeria has roads, population and affordability. It is considered to be the largest potential auto market in Africa. The Nigerian government imports 8 billion U.S. dollars each year. Imported cars in Nigeria are mainly second-hand cars. The demand for new cars is about 75,000 units/year, and the demand for second-hand cars exceeds 150,000 units/year, accounting for 2/3 of the total demand. As the Nigerian government relaxes the restrictions on the age of imported second-hand cars, second-hand car imports will further increase. Therefore, the auto parts market in the upper and lower Nigerian second-hand car industry chain reaches will usher in more opportunities.
2. Get Your Business Registered with CAC
It is not obligatory to get your business registered with CAC(CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION), but it might help boost the client’s or customer’s confidence in you, as research suggests.
How Do I Get a CAC Certificate?
Much of the process of getting a CAC happens without your even knowing it, but you will still need to understand the process to obtain the card. Whether you’re getting a CAC for the first time or renewing your current CAC, you must follow all four steps listed below:
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Check for availability of the Business Name
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Complete pre-registration form – CAC-BNo1 and upload relevant registration documents(Online using Company Registration Portal)
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Pay filing fee Check the Fees for our Services here.
3. Look For A Chinese Supplier
You can look for a reliable supplier online as well. The website Find will help you get in touch with reliable and trustworthy suppliers.
Having isolated some of the goods you think can do well and acceptable in the market in Nigeria and decided on the particular one you want to import, the second step is to make a selection of merchants that deals with those goods in China.
There are several ways you can import goods from China to Nigeria:
1. Use Chinese Sourcing Agents
2. Order Goods Directly from Chinese Factory or Supplier like 1688.com）
3. Use Online Market Places you can make use of some of the China popular merchant websites such as Alibaba.com. Aliexpress.com.
4. Place Buying Order from China to Nigeria
Once you are done with product and supplier hunting, it is time to order them. Please note that you do not necessarily need the help of import agents to have your desired products delivered. When you find your supplier online, the need for these agents is eliminated. You can even place your order through your phone or laptop while having a cup of tea at your home.
Just find a reliable supplier, and you might be able to place your order through their website.
Remember, the reliability of the supplier will play a huge role in your business’s success. If you’re able to find a reliable supplier, all your processes will go smoothly. Otherwise, you might face difficulty at every step of the way.
But you mustn’t worry, I have already guided you regarding where to find a good supplier form. Just get in touch with one of them and take your business ahead.
5. Make Payment when Import from China to Nigeria
Once you have placed your order, the next step is to make your payment to China, and as we all know, it is also a critical part of every contract.
You will find there are 2 ways to make your payment when you place your import from China to Nigeria order online.
- You could pay through the website’s portal; that is the cart option on most of the websites. You could do this by making the transfer from Paypal, your bank account, or your ATM card.
- There are several methods you can use to pay for oversea suppliers: Telegraphic Transfer，Western Union，PayPal，Alipay，Escrow，Letter of Credit.
But I want to say, not just to find a merchant, start negotiation with the merchants to find out whose terms of contract will be most suitable to you. There are some important things you’d have to agree upon apart from the price of the goods. You will have to discuss and agree on method of shipment and mode of payment.
As someone who is new to international trade, buying and importing good from China to Nigeria can be a bit risky sometimes, it is therefore advisable that you use escrow services where possible for payment to dealers on Chinese sites. So how to avoid scams and keep your funds safe is one thing you must do.
It is advisable You start by buying smaller quantity of product for a particular dealer over time to establish how trust worth he is. Then you increase your order gradually.
You could also make your payment through product sourcing company in China that you choose. These companies free you of the hassles of collecting your packages and also make your payments to the suppliers.
6. Shipping from China to Nigeria
There are two ways to ship from China to Nigeria.
- You can do via Sea freight or air freight. Method of shipment is another critical factor to look into and agree upon and don’t forget that the type of shipment you use can greatly influence the final price of your goods. But should be the least of your concern since are not the cosigner. The method is the dealer’s to worry about as long as you have agreed and settled the price of goods.
- Little things to note however is that while DHL and UPS offers easy, fast, and secure shipment, it comes with a higher price which will drive the final cost of your goods higher irrespective of who is paying for shipment. If a merchant is shipping from China to Nigeria through DHL or UPS, they must have added the cost to the price of the goods.
Free On Board(FOB) is the most popular system used when most people import from China to Nigeria, in conjunction with the port of loading. With this arrangement, the seller is responsible for transporting the goods to the port for shipment and also take care of the loading charges. From there the responsibility of clearing the goods from your own port and transporting it to your final destination and paying all costs of transport, insurance, etc becomes yours.
Though the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) have made several claims in the past of how they have changed the face of port operation in Nigeria, I can assure you that things are still the same if not worst over the past eight years. Therefore, you have to prepare for the long list of unnecessary huddles.
But if the goods you are importing is a product in high demand, you can be sure of making your money in millions to cover all the hardship you went through. The good news is that importing from China isn’t as hard and costly as importing from other countries in Europe and America.
Below is a vital information about import from China to Nigeria procedure. A shipping company intending to bring cargo into a Nigerian sea port has to clear the ship by obtaining Ship Entry Notice (SEN) two months in advance from the Operations Department of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The customer, in the alternative, could obtain clearance through a registered and licensed agent based in Nigeria.
This is without prejudice to all other regulations guiding the operations of other relevant government agencies and international laws regulating maritime operations. The procurement of a Ship Entry Notice is a guarantee that a vessel would have berthing facility on arrival in Nigeria. This in essence means that the ship does not come to queue and thus incur demur rage.
Merchandise And Raw Materials- Personal Effects
There are two categories of goods for the purposes of this guideline:
(a) Merchandise and Raw Materials
(b) Personal Effects
It is no longer mandatory that the consignee engages the services of a registered Clearing and Forwarding Agent in respect of merchandise and raw materials. In such cases, the consignee may opt for self-clearance as is the case with personal effects, where the owner may clear the cargo when familiar with the clearing procedure.
Bill of Lading
The consignor/shipper sends the Bill of Lading in advance of the arrival of the ship to the consignee/importer. This document contains the following vital information.
(a) The name of the ship carrying the goods
(b) The description of the goods along with their marks and numbers
(c) The date of departure from port of loading
(d) The weight of cargo
(e) The terms of contract of affreightment
The importer/consignee takes the Bill of Lading to the NPA Central Office for Planning and Information of the appropriate port for details about the arrival date of the ship and her allocated berth. This information can also be obtained from the shipping company.
If you think import from China to Nigeria is difficulty for you. The easiest way to ship from China is to find a company that can DDP shipping to help you clear the goods and then ship them directly to you. So, you don’t have to worry about the Customs process. Contact us, we will help you to handle everything.
Nigeria has 8 main sea ports, 11 oil terminals, and 102 berths. In addition, Nigeria’s seaport equipment is relatively advanced, which not only undertakes its own foreign trade but also undertakes the import and export trade of many countries in West Africa.
Among them, Lagos is the busiest and largest port in West Africa. There are thousands of freighters from dozens of shipping companies loading and unloading goods in this port every year. Most of the goods exported from China to Nigeria are also shipped to Lagos Port.
Goods import from China to Nigeria is a common error-prone link for Chinese foreign trade companies. There are many fines and deductions due to incomplete certificates during customs clearance.
In addition, Nigeria also imposes import bans on certain products, including China’s large exports of luggage and footwear products to Nigeria. Since September 2005, some products import from China to Nigeria have implemented compulsory safety certification, namely SONCAP certification. SONCAP certification is a compulsory certification in Nigeria for customs clearance. Nigeria certification (SONCAP certification) consists of two parts: PC certificate (product certificate) and SC certificate (customs clearance certificate).
The process of applying for Nigeria-SONCAP certificate
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1. Submit information (PC application) Tables, product manuals, product pictures);
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2. Perform product testing and start operating related documents;
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3. Give the PC certificate to Nigerian customers, and they will apply for From M Number;
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4. After the customer applies for Form M, give it to the manufacturer Form M Number, waiting for shipment;
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5. Packing list, bill of lading, commercial invoice, PC certificate, and From M Number to apply for SC certificate together;
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6. Send SC certificate to Nigerian customer to complete the certification
The question is that not all products imported from China to Nigeria need to be SONCAP certified. Some of the following categories do not need to be SONCAP certified, but other certifications:
- Food (alcohol and beverage)
- Medicines for humans and animals
- Medical products
- Chemicals (including raw materials)
- Cosmetics
- Detergent detergent
- Bottled water
- Medical equipment
If any problems is experienced at any of the stages outlined above, please contact us to receive assistance in finding a solution to import from China to Nigeria.
The Best Way to Import Goods from China to Nigeria
Ask Chinese companies to sell to you on CFR or CIF Lagos terms.(CFR – Cost and Freight, CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight – CIF if you want cargo insurance)
This is probably your best buy from China to Nigeria option, it’s the easiest for what you do, and the export prices from Chinese exporters are probably cheaper than what you can buy from Nigeria. The most important thing is that you have more choices.
According to these CFR or CIF Lagos terms, the Chinese supplier is responsible for delivering the goods to Lagos. When the goods arrive, the risk of the goods passes to you. So what you need to do is, once the Chinese quote the CFR or CIF Lagos price, ask which operator they are using and then contact the operator’s agent in Lagos.
This should be simple and can be found via google or the shipping company’s website – for example, if they say they are using COSCO (shipping company), their Nigeria/Lagos agency information will be on their website – COSCO ocean shipping company. Any carrier that Chinese companies can use to deliver goods to Lagos will have an agency in Lagos to contact for local arrangements.
You will be responsible for local costs in Lagos, such as receiving, handling, customs clearance and any applicable import duties or taxes, and the local agent of the carrier you are using should be able to handle all of this for you – just contact them and tell them you have a shipment will arrive (they will need details like quantity, value, etc.) and they should be able to provide you with a fee. They should also be able to help you arrange local deliveries within Nigeria.
That’s basically it – add the supplier’s CFR/CIF cost to the agent’s local cost to get your total cost. Under these terms of sale, the Chinese supplier is responsible for the goods arriving in Lagos, and you (via the carrier’s agent) is responsible for the goods from there.
The above is specifically for seaborne imports, if you want to ship the goods by air, it will be a lot more expensive, but the principle is the same. Now more and more small sellers buy products from China. At this time, they will choose the DDP shipping method. The supplier is responsible for delivering the goods to the place designated by the customer, and the buyer only needs to pay the payment to the supplier. Next, They are waiting for the arrival of the goods.
What we can help you import from china to Nigeria?
Note: We are very happy to help you import from China to Nigeria. But the usual practice is, if your order amount is less than $500 ~ $1000, we recommend that you buy directly from Alibaba or AliExpress. If you need customized products or need to bundle your products from different suppliers, please contact us directly and explain in detail any of your requirements.
Import from China to Nigeria Conclusion
I believe you have gathered enough knowledge about importing goods from China to Nigeria, and have a fairly in-depth idea of what goes around in these businesses.
African consumers demand has grown steadily in the past few years, and Africa has become an attractive market for global export-oriented trading companies and manufacturers. As the “leader” in African trade, Nigeria has enjoyed strong bilateral trade with China in recent years. Import from China to Nigeria is eager to try.
Good
Apparel and footwear
Awesome
okay, thanks
I will like to import baking materials. How do I go about it.
Awesome
How can I get wig to buy in China
Hi, you can buy from Alibaba ore aliexpress directly.
I would like to import bag,footwear,Apparel,wig
Hi tatiana, we have sent a email to you.
Me too, pls i need help .I would like to import wigs, bags, footwear and thrift.
Same here too,am interested
I will like footwear and bags
Pls I’ll like the earpods and the likes
Hi, you can send your requirement to our working email: support@supplya.com.
they will help you source the best products for you.
I would like to import baby needs, what can I do?
Hi omotayo, thank you for contacting us. the first thing, I think you should do some product research to find what kind of baby needs you want to import.
once, you have a idea, you can search on alibaba.com or 1688..com try to find some reference pictures. It may takes some time, but deserve.
Please i will love to be importing apparel, footwear, electronics, furniture, home appliances and Automobile accessories for my E-commerce website. I will be looking forward for your reply, please get back to me as soon as you can.
Hi, We have sent an email to you. If you didn’t get it, you can contact with support@supplyia.com
have a nice day.
Hi
I need help with picking my goods from the suppliers and delivery to nigeria
How can I get Chinese contact someone that deal on phone parts
HI, we definitely can help you buy from the Chinese supplier.
I just want to start importing phone and computer parts
admin thanks to your wonderful and inspirational thoughts,pls i want to start mini importation of computer gadgets and phone accessories through your company how can i go about it throw some light.
Hi, you can collect all the product requirement in a file and send to our email: support@supplyia.com. we will take a review and help you import from China
thank you.
How to convert yuan to naira on good bought
This is the type of information I’ve long been trying to find. Thank you for writing this information.
Preorder
I thank you for this information
Interesting in bag and foot wear
Please I would love to start an online bag business,but I don’t know how to go about it. Please help me out
Good
How can I import from china to Nigeria
Thanks for this viral information, i have been ordering from china to Nigeria for 3years now but have nothing to show , this is because the shipping company charge almost more than the amount i use to purchase the items,
I hope i did find the right agent this time
Hi, if you have good shipping from China to Nigeria, you can share it here.
I will like to Order for Earrings and Necklace
Hi, Of course. you can send all the products you want/quantity to support@supplyia.com
How can I start drop shipping